After the governor and congressman made their individual speeches to the closing assembly of this year's S.O.A.R. Summit, both praising the value and potential of the region, ceremonial checks were then presented to several East Kentucky organizations to create new jobs, improve tourism, healthcare, education, emergency services, and infrastructure.
The investment comes from AMLER funds - the state's Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program that puts money back into counties where coal has been extracted. Governor Beshear talked with WUKY behind the S.O.A.R. Summit stage after awards were presented, saying what has been seen today in terms of the funding announcement is testament of how much the state believes in East Kentucky.
WUKY also had the opportunity to talk to Rocky Adkins, a former state representative who now serves as senior advisor to the governor. Adkins said exciting things were happening in East Kentucky like today's funding announcement as well as the funding that was secured for work to begin on the final 13-mile segment of the Mountain Parkway expansion project.
During his time behind the speaker's podium, Congressman Rogers also extolled the beauty of East Kentucky, declaring the area has the most organized off-road trail extensions stretching from the Big Sandy to the Kentucky River and the Cumberland River Valley regions. He promoted the future Boone's Ridge Appalachian Wildlife Center slated to open next year in Bell County. "Go see it!" Rogers exclaimed. "Go experience it and you will renew your love for your home state."
Adkins bragged on the team work of government, non-profits, and businesses that he said were bringing new energy to the mountains. He said every dollar of today's funding announcement was well deserved by East Kentucky. Gov. Beshear praised the S.O.A.R. organization for facilitating networking and development opportunities in a progressive way.